142 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



the borders of meadows, and some straggling ones in them, 

 are very pleasant and profitable, as they do no injury to the 

 growth of the grass. Wherever trees can be planted in 

 pastures and along fences, without doing injury to the 

 growths of the adjoining fields by their shade, this part of 

 rural economy ought never to be omited. 



The shade of some kinds of trees is much more hurtful 

 to the growth of plants than others. 



< I planted maize (says Mr. Livingston) on the west side 

 of a young wood, consisting of oaks, poplars, a few ches- 

 nuts, and a large mulberry somewhat advanced into the 

 field. The shade made by the rising sun extended nearly 

 across the field, and was not entirely off until about ten 

 o'clock. I remarked that, as far as the shade of the chesnut 

 reached, the corn was extremely injured ; it was yellow and 

 small. The chonical shape of the morning-shade from par- 

 ticular trees might be traced a considerable extent, in the 

 sickly appearance of the plants. The blackoaks were like- 

 wise injurious; but less so than the chesnuts; the poplars. 

 very little so. Near the mulberrytree, the corn was cover- 

 ed by its shade for a long time every morning; and, though 

 not so large as that which had more sun, maintained a 

 healthy appearance.' 



The shade of the blackoak is particularly hurtful to the 

 growth of wheat; that of the locust is, on the contrary, 

 beneficial to grass-grounds ; and that of the sugarmaple 

 does but little injury to the growth of grain, and none to 

 grass. 



GUINEA-CORN (Hoicus SfiicatusJ This plant is 

 considerably cultivated in South-carolina, where it is esteem- 

 ed for its seed when ripe, which commonly yields from six- 

 ty to eighty bushels to an acre; and the growth is mowed 

 while green, for the purpose of soiling cattle ; for which it 

 is very good, and abundant in its product 



The seed is used for feeding poultry, Sec. and when hull- 

 ed, which is there performed by beating in a mortar, it is 

 nearly or quite as palatable as rice, when boiled and eaten 

 with milk. 



The crop is sown in drills. It does not exhaust the soil, 

 if cut while green, and if the stubble be then ploughed 

 under it rather assists the ground. It requires a rich dry 

 soil. 



GYPSUM. See MANURES. 



